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Following is the text of the homily his Grace, the Most Reverend Martin William Currie, Archbishop of St. John’s, delivered at the Eucharistic Liturgy he celebrated on January 7, 2008 at St. Pius Xth Church to mark the 50th Anniversary of the Opening of St. Patrick’s Mercy Home. Suffering and illness have always been among the greatest problems that trouble the human spirit. Christians, like the rest of humanity grow old, get sick, feel and experience pain and isolation as do all other people yet their faith helps them to grasp more deeply the mystery of suffering and to bear their pain with greater courage. From Christ’s words we know that sickness and suffering has meaning and value for their own salvation and for the salvation of the world. We also know that Christ during his time on earth showed a special care for the sick, he visited them, he cared for them and sometimes he healed them. A part of God’s plan is that we should fight against sickness, that we should care for the sick and provide the best quality of life possible. It was this understanding of the Gospel that moved Archbishop Skinner over 50 years. When he announced a plan for a Home to say, “it will provide a desired haven of quiet and care for the aged and infirm, open to all creeds, and to all classes with or without sufficient means.” The building of St. Patrick’s Mercy Home serves as a shining beacon of caring, of hope, and faith, to those who have gone before us. A great debt is owed to the vision of the Church leaders of the time and a special thanks to the Sisters of Mercy who shared their gifts of administration, but more importantly to the Sisters who for the last fifty years have shared their hearts and hands, their compassion and touch to bring comfort and community to those in need. We must not forget the generosity of those who gave of their treasure, those who had resources but more importantly the sacrifice of so many in so many ways. The Cent-a-Meal campaign is still remembered fondly as they tell stories of how they put their penny in a box on the table. This was a way of inviting to the table the unfortunate and the aged. Nor should we forget the generosity of the women who collected and counted the pennies. As Christians we are called, indeed empowered to comfort others in their last years and in the midst of their suffering by giving them a reason for hope. We are called to help them experience God’s enduring love for them; this is what makes Christian health care truly distinctive. We are to do for one another what Jesus did; comfort others by inspiring in them hope and confidence in life. Our distinctive vocation in Christian care is not so much to heal better or more efficiently than anyone else; it is to bring comfort to people by giving them an experience that will strengthen their confidence in life. Our witness to hope is increasingly important in today’s care for the elderly that is becoming commercialized as our population ages. There are strong economic pressures to reduce patients to commodities. As Christians, we must recognize the absolute necessity of being present to others in their need if they are to have confidence in life--Human life is not meant to be lived in isolation. To be fully human we must live in community. It is important that they have others with whom they can communicate. It is essential that they can experience God’s enduring love for them through the loving care and concern of the Christian community involved in their care. St. Patrick’s has been blessed over these past 50 years to have had faith-filled caring people. To those who have served on the Boards, to those from administration, to nursing, to pastoral care, housekeeping and laundry and auxiliary. Many voices say thanks. (The following remarks his Grace addressed to the Sisters of Mercy in particular.) As we celebrate this 50th anniversary, it is beyond my capacity to reward you adequately for all your selfless service. My tongue is too clumsy and my time in your midst too short, to know and tell of the wealth of your service, and my prayers of thanks are too small for your goodness. Any gift I could give would be hopelessly inadequate in comparison to the beauty of the lives given to the Lord and service for His people. Nevertheless, on behalf of the thousands you have served and their families, I offer three simple words as gifts to sum up what you have meant. These words are obedience, generosity and gratitude. By obedience I mean you have faithfully listen in the deep recesses of your heart where God resides to the needs of the elderly and you have adjusted and adapted to their needs. Generosity: God has called you to the service of the aged and He has given you the gifts you need to carry out your mission. These gifts you generously shared with His people. Your gifts have been wisdom, long hours, quiet humility, unshakeable faith, compassion and kindness. You have done great things but you have also bathed bodies, changed diapers, held hands. You have accompanied people on their last moments of life; you have comforted the old and the young at the passing of a loved one. Our city and our church would look different without you and your generous sharing of gifts. Gratitude, on the 50th anniversary I’m sure you want to thank God who is the source of all your blessings and gifts. Today we celebrate in humble gratitude all that the Lord has done for us in His tenderness and His many acts of love and you give thanks to God for the many ways He has used you as His instruments through the years. As we thank you, God’s willing instruments, please try not to hear merrily my voice saying thank you. Hear the thousands who have been touched and wonderfully changed by your faithful service and love. Thank you from the infirm, the aged and dying, who from God’s throne to-day sing your praises. Thank you for building up the Church of St. John’s by your example. My prayer is that the Lord will give you the gifts you need for the journey ahead. |
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